Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Finally there’s an undead teen story for the those of us who can’t take anymore Twilight.

Seriously, folks, Generation Dead  is some of the most remarkable science fiction I’ve read in a a good long while. The set-up is simple and timeless, but at the same time strangely amusing and ridiculous. For some unknown medical reason, teens who die are becoming zombies, and many are attempting to return to thier old lives in this new state. These “living impaired” kids, (it is extremely rude to use the Z-word) are just trying to be kids, but face intense amounts of hatred and discrimination from other students and from society in general. 

Here’s why I loved it. The characters are hilarious. The whole idea of the latest  social group to need societal awareness being teenage zombies left me chucking all the way through it. Now, there are major issues to be dealt with here, people: with the new pale skin what lip gloss goes best, how do you kiss a zombie if she’s all cold and stuff, does it count as being dumped if he’s already dead. . .the list goes on and on.

But at the same time, there is a very serious, and unfortunately accurate picture being painted of human behavior towards anyone who’s different; they are deeply contemptuous (along the lines of the ugliest racism or homophobia) of anyone who associates with the “worm eaters,” and one character actively terrorizes and abuses them (after all, it’s not illegal to harm someone who’s already dead). Everyone in the book has to face up to the one unifying question: am I brave enough to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, even if I’m scared of them myself? Doen’t everyone deserve the same chance at life and happiness?

It’s not a perfect book, nor is it entirely harmless; there are a few drinking scenes, swear words, and the boys talk to each other like boys tend to do: with touches of  sexual context. But the message of this novel, which I cannot help but align with the current attitudes stirred up by California’s gay marriage debate, along with the wonderful balance of zany-creepy and reality makes this one worth considering for you library.